Face to Face - June 2011

Sherif W. Abdou, M.D.

President, Chief Executive Officer

Healthcare Partners Medical Group - Nevada

Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Pahrump

How did you get into your profession?
I always wanted to be a doctor, as a youngster I watched television shows about doctors.  I pursued my dream, went to medical school, completed my residency here at University Medical Center School of Medicine in Las Vegas, earned a Masters degree in Medical Management from the University of Southern California, practiced internal medicine and built a patient focused medical practice, culminating in leading HealthCare Partners Medical Group in Nevada.

What do you want your legacy for future generations to be?
Moving Nevada from the bottom in health care rankings in the United States to 25th.

What business advice would you give someone just starting in your industry?
Do it with passion, be patient centered and focused, and learn to embrace teamwork.

What is the biggest challenge your industry is facing?
The paradigm shift from corporate driven fee-for-service providers (to) physician lead, patient focused, risk management for quality and cost saving compensation.

What is the best perk of your career?
The personal impact and mutual appreciation of the patient-doctor relationship.

What is the worst criticism you have overcome?
The over and under was that I would not last 90 days in a large structured system.  That my entrepreneurial spirit would either die or collide with the corporate culture.  Here we are six years later, and we have not only survived, but thrived.

What was the toughest lesson you’ve learned in your career?
Working through the second guessing in the middle of the night when an outcome was not positive.  You compartmentalize the pain and look forward to the next patient.

If you had to choose another profession, what would it be?
I would be an NFL quarterback.  Why?   The position personifies intelligence, teamwork and leading from behind your teammates, not in front.